Bonaveri has supplied a series of bespoke bust forms for a new exhibition of 24 carefully selected garments from Teatro alla Scala’s tailoring laboratories celebrating 40 years of events by the ‘La Scala Friends’ Association. The bespoke bust forms are displayed in the Royal Palace’s Tapestry Hall displaying garments made by famous names during the history…

This exhibition is a celebration of 40 years of events by the 'La Scala Friends' Association.

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Written by Ian Thompson | 31 October 2017

Bonaveri has supplied a series of bespoke bust forms for a new exhibition of 24 carefully selected garments from Teatro alla Scala’s tailoring laboratories celebrating 40 years of events by the ‘La Scala Friends’ Association.

The bespoke bust forms are displayed in the Royal Palace’s Tapestry Hall displaying garments made by famous names during the history of the theatre. Costumes and other unique items from the 1930s to the present are all displayed on tailor-made Bonaveri bust forms, illuminated with projections and music from the theatre.

Garments on display include those from performances directed by Lucchino Visconti, Giorgio Strehler, Luca Ronconi, Liliana Cavani, Robert Wilson and Robert Carsen and worn by performers including by Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi, Carla Fracci, Rudolf Nureyev, Boris Christoff amongst others. Curated by Vittoria Crespi Morbio, the costumes show the skilled craftsmanship of La Scala Atelier’s seamstresses and tailors and explores the relationship between performers, directors, sets and costume design.

A section of the exhibition focuses on the work of Gianni Versace and Karl Lagerfeld. Versace’s work for Robert Wilson and Maurice Béjart during the eighties is said to have influenced his thinking as a designer, exploring themes of simplicity and movement in theatre design.

The costumes have all been donated by La Scala after careful restoration by Atelier Brancato with promotion by the cultural organisation, ‘La Scala Friends’ Association.

The exhibition is currently on display and is open to the public until the 28th of January, 2018.